The Boeing 720 CID testbed aircraft erupts in flames as it slides through the impact site at Edwards Air Force Base, California, the ultimate price a testbed occasionally has to pay. The sequence shows the airplane hitting left wing low, impacting the barriers and tearing off the right wing. It then erupted into a fireball, but the flames from the special fuel quickly died out on their own.

The use of production aircraft for simulation and testbed missions has been carried out for many years. Here, a C-47 assigned to the Air Force Medical Research Laboratory was used in the 1950s for human engineering experiments.

In a similar experiment to the F-16/79, an F-16 was also modified to carry the F101 powerplant. Again, the concept would not be adopted for the F16/101. The brightly-colored aircraft prototype is the middle aircraft in this formation.

This 1980 artist's concept shows the design of the AFTI/F-16 configuration which would follow in two years. The concept incorporated fly-by-wire controls, advanced displays, integrated flight control system, and weapons fire controls.

In a similar experiment to the F-16/79, an F-16 was also modified to carry the F101 powerplant. Again, the concept would not be adopted for the F16/101. The brightly-colored aircraft prototype is the middle aircraft in this formation.

With smoke pouring from its smoke generators, the VISTA/MATV aircraft demonstrates its high angle-of-attack capability. With the nozzle deflecting the thrust upward, the high angle of attack ability can be accomplished.

This F/A-18 pre-production fighter aircraft was modified for the HARV Program. The program started in 1987 and was continuing into the 1990s. Clearly visible is the paddle actuation system for deflecting engine exhaust.

This artist's concept shows the installation of wingtip winglets on a KC-135 testbed aircraft. The fuel-saving concept was never incorporated on the Air Force fleet, but it's used extensively on the commercial airline fleet.

One of the earliest testbed aircraft to investigate fly-by-wire capabilities was this B-47. Presently, this plane is displayed in the Air Force Museum where it has been repainted in operational colors.

At the completion of this program (Fly-By-Wire Research/Demonstration) the aircraft appeared as shown here. Note the glass window in the nose and the air inlets under the tail still on the aircraft today.

The modifications to this testbed aircraft can be seen under the twin engine exhausts. The concept was to trap bleed air from the exhausts and then direct the air through special slots on the trailing edge of each wing.

A Corsair II, like this operational U.S. Navy version, was selected by the Air Force for significant modification as the YA-7F Prototype Fighter. Air Force versions were used for the actual modifications.

В исследовательских целях использовалось несколько самолетов, обозначенных как JF-100CNASA modified an F-100 Super Sabre to the JF-100 during the 1960s to test a number of flight regimes. It's shown here on the lake bed at Edwards Air Force base.

The AFTI/F-111A at Edwards prior to first flight. The test programme is managed by the USAF’s Flight Dynamics Laboratory, part of the Aeronautical Systems Division's Air Force Wright Aeronautical Laboratories (AFWAL), in collaboration with NASA's Dryden Flight Research Facility (DFRF).

The YF-17 served as a prototype during competition with the YF-16 in the Air Force Lightweight Fighter competition. The YF-17 aircraft lost that competition, but it would then serve as the testbed for the Navy F/A-18 fighter.

Empire Test Pilot School's variable stability ASTRA Hawk, with the older variable stability Basset in the background. The number "1" on the vertical tail is just about the only external feature distinguishing this aircraft from the school's other Hawk aircraft.

The final configuration of this testbed with the so-called ICAAS program. The configuration could not be identified externally by any distinctive markings. The ICAAS program was canceled before completion.

This photo shows the pair of YF-23 prototypes just after they were removed from storage. One ofthe craft would eventually be used to study strain guage loads calibration techniques. The other, for the time being, will remain in storage.

The Survivable Flight Control System (SFCS) modification to the F-4 testbed addressed the development offly-by-wire technology. The testbed was characterized by flashy full fuselage-length "racing stripes."

The longstanding NASA F-106 testbed on a test flight. Note the black appendage on the top ofthe rear fuselage performing some unknown test function. Also note the lack of military markings and the civilian registration number on the aft fuselage of this NASA testbed aircraft.

Empire Test Pilot School's variable stability ASTRA Hawk, with the older variable stability Basset in the background. The number "1" on the vertical tail is just about the only external feature distinguishing this aircraft from the school's other Hawk aircraft.

The ARIA modification is the most recognizable testbed aircraft in the world. A number of Boeing 707s and KC-135s have been modified into EC-18s and EC-135s. This particular version is an EC-18 aircraft.

The OPEN SKIES C-135 testbed aircraft is the newest version of the model for the 1990s time period. The mission of this sophisticated aircraft was to provide aerial observation to support an international treaty.

This F-5E testbed aircraft tested a composite material landing gear strut in 1987. This particular F-5E was a member of the USAF Aggressor Squadron, another example ofa test being accomplished as a part of the normal operational mission.